Is French President’s Wife Really A Man? Macrons Sue US Podcaster Over Bizarre Claims

Brigitte Macron: French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron have filed a defamation lawsuit in the United States against conservative commentator Candace Owens, accusing her of spreading malicious falsehoods—ranging from gender identity conspiracy theories to CIA control narratives—all to boost her media visibility.

Filed In Delaware Court

On July 23, 2025, the Macrons filed their complaint in Delaware Superior Court, claiming that Owens has conducted a “campaign of global humiliation” through social media and her podcast series titled Becoming Brigitte. The couple alleges that Owens made “verifiably false” claims to grow her online following and monetize attention. The lawsuit, Macron et al v Owens et al, marks an unusual move by a sitting world leader pursuing legal action in a US court for personal defamation.

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The Claims Made By Owens

The lawsuit centers on multiple false and defamatory claims allegedly made by Owens:

1. That Brigitte Macron was born male under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, her brother’s name.

2. That she stole another woman’s identity and transitioned to become Brigitte Macron.

3. That the couple are blood relatives committing incest.

4. That Emmanuel Macron was chosen by the CIA under the MKUltra mind-control program.

5. That the Macrons are committing fraud and forgery to conceal their past.

The Macrons said they sent multiple retraction demands, backed with evidence. However, Owens allegedly mocked the couple in response and escalated her accusations.

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Legal Context And Challenges

In their legal statement, the Macrons said they were left with no option but to seek judicial recourse: “Because Ms Owens systematically reaffirmed these falsehoods… referring the matter to a court of law was the only remaining avenue.” Under US law, the Macrons must meet the high legal bar of proving “actual malice,” meaning Owens either knew the claims were false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth—a tough standard for public figures. They are being represented by Clare Locke, the same firm that represented Dominion Voting Systems in its high-profile defamation case against Fox News.

Owens’ Response

Candace Owens has dismissed the lawsuit as a “desperate PR stunt,” claiming it contains factual inaccuracies and is an attempt by a foreign government to suppress her First Amendment rights. “This is a foreign government attacking the First Amendment rights of an American independent journalist,” said a spokesperson for Owens. She also claimed she was unaware a lawsuit was imminent, despite her legal team being in communication with the Macrons’ attorneys since January. According to Owens, the Macrons filed suit after she was denied an interview with Brigitte.

Media Echo Chamber And Past Lawsuits

The controversy gained traction on major right-wing media platforms and podcasts hosted by Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan. Speculations about Brigitte Macron's gender first gained momentum in 2021, and she won a French court case in 2023 against two women who contributed to these rumors. That decision was later overturned, and she has now appealed to France’s highest court.

The Implications

The Macrons say Owens’ claims have caused them “relentless bullying on a worldwide scale” and forced them to spend significant resources to protect their reputations. They are prepared to appear in Delaware court to pursue the matter.